1. LITURGY AND THE SACRAMENTS

2. OFFICIAL PUBLIC COMMUNAL PRAYER
Liturgy is the Church’s
OFFICIAL
PUBLIC
COMMUNAL
PRAYER
(Sacraments, Funerals, Liturgy of the Hours)

3. OFFICIAL PUBLIC COMMUNAL PRAYER
(a spontaneous prayer service is not official)
PUBLIC
(open to all)
COMMUNAL
(we worship as a COMMUNITY – equality, solidarity, cooperation)
PRAYER
(lifting up of our hearts to God)

4. Liturgical Books Roman Missal
Used by the priest at Mass, contains all the prayers of the Mass
Lectionary for Mass
Contains the readings for Mass, first, second, responsorial psalm and gospel acclamations
Book of Gospels
Contains only the Gospels
Rite of Baptism for children
Contains the rituals necessary for baptism. Each sacrament and other blessings and consecrations has a separate book
Liturgy of the Hours
Readings, hymns and prayers for the seven “hours” of the day. There is a book for each “season” of the year

5. God’s work of salvation in which we are called to participate
Liturgy is
God’s work of salvation in which we are called to participate
Ritual, repeated, meaningful symbols and actions
Decreed by Jesus “Do this in Memory of Me”

6. Liturgy is the prayer of the Church, in heaven, on Earth and in Purgatory
We are connected to all of those outside of time and space, Mary, angels, saints, etc.
Communion of Saints:
Heaven
Earth
Purgatory
People on Earth pray for those in Purgatory, who get to Heaven, and then pray for those on Earth!

7. “Through Christ Our Lord”
Christ is present in all liturgy
In the ordained minister who acts in the person of Jesus.
In the assembly of people, as the “Body of Christ”
In the Scripture, the “Word of God” that is an essential element of every liturgy
In the Eucharist, in a special way, Jesus is truly present in Body and Blood

8. Trinitarian Doxology – Liturgy is Trinitarian
Through Him, with Him, in Him, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.

9. Liturgical Calendar
Celebrates the whole of the Paschal Mystery, from the Incarnation to Pentecost
Purple Waiting, penance
White/Gold Joy
Green Hope

10. Advent:
Begins the Liturgical year
a time of preparation, 4 weeks (22-28 days) before Christmas
To celebrate the birth of God made flesh
To celebrate Jesus coming into our own hearts
To prepare for the final coming of Jesus

11. Christmas: Begins on Dec
Christmas: Begins on Dec. 25th and ends with the Baptism of Jesus (3rd Sunday after Christmas) Includes: Epiphany (aka Little Christmas/Three Kings Day) on the 12th day of Christmas (revelation to the Gentiles) - 1/6* Feast of the Holy Innocents (12/28 – infants massacred by Herod), Feast of the Holy Family, and Feast of Mary, Mother of God (1/1)

12. Ordinary Time I and II:
Numbered with ordinal numbers.
Two sections in the year,
1st between Christmas and Lent
2nd between Pentecost and Advent.

13. Lent:
Based on Jesus fasting 40 days in desert
Begins on Ash Wednesday (46 calendar days, Sundays don’t count)
Encouraged to fast, pray and give alms
Focus on what Jesus did for us

14. Easter Triduum
Three Days - remember suffering and death of Jesus
Thursday evening - Sunday evening (in the Jewish tradition)
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday: Reflect on Passion narrative, venerate the Cross
Easter Sunday: Easter Vigil on Saturday evening- great celebration with candles, fire, water and the welcoming of new members

15. Easter Season:
Easter Sunday - Pentecost Sunday, 50 days later.
Liturgy - new life
40 days after Easter: Ascension Thursday: Jesus ascended back into heaven.
50 days after Easter: Pentecost: the Church is revealed and we, like the apostles, are sent forth to carry out Jesus’ mission to the world

16. HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION
There are six days (other than Sunday) when Catholics are obligated to go to Mass.
The six vary by country – our patron saint is the Blessed Mother, so we have several Mary feasts.
12/8 – Immaculate Conception – Mary being conceived in HER mother’s womb – 9/8 is her b-day
1/1 – Mary, Mother of God
8/15 – Feast of the Assumption – Mary taken up to heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life

17. 12/25 – Christmas
40 days after Easter – Ascension Thursday
11/1 – All Saints Day

20. ?!? In English, please?
Ex opera operato: This phrase points to the truth that God is always present and always at work in the Sacraments. “From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and His Spirit acts in and through it”. God’s side of the partnership, of the sacramental encounter, is always reliable. God always offers grace in the Sacraments, and the Sacraments “confer the grace that they signify”
Ex opere operantis: The effectiveness of the Sacraments for our lives is not automatic. It is directly linked to our readiness and attitude when we receive them. The Sacraments demand, even as they empower, our lived response. ‘They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.’ The Church uses this phrase, meaning “from the power of the person taking part in the work”, to teach this truth. The graces offered in the Sacraments need to be freely accepted and then lived. God’s grace always comes with a responsibility, or, better still, with a “response-ability”, to live as Jesus’ disciples.

21. Ex opera operato
It works! God is reliable – He always does his half of the deal. We DO receive the graces in the sacraments!

22. Ex opere operatantis
But the correct disposition is required! i.e. Not forgiven if you’re not really sorry. Marriage not valid if you go into it with the wrong intentions.